Missouri – U.S.

Senate
Democrat Republican

Candidate Claire McCaskill Jim Talent

Funds On Hand $2,684,766 $6,921,577
Recent Poll 43% 43%
Few races in the country are as closely watched as Missouri’s U.S. Senate race, which pits two of the state’s most
experienced candidates against each other: Republican Sen. Jim Talent and Democratic State Auditor Claire McCaskill.
The Cook Political Report ranks this race a “Toss-Up.”

The District
Historically, Missouri is a bellwether state, as
central to the political scene as it is to the
geographic map. Missouri has voted for the winner
in every presidential election for nearly half a
century, and even though it trends somewhat
conservative, it generally features close races. This
year, an unpopular President and Governor may
hurt the Republican brand. Aiding the Democratic
chances is a high-profile statewide referendum to
fund stem cell research – a popular measure
supported by most voters, as well as McCaskill,
and opposed by Talent and the powerful religious
right.

About Claire McCaskill

McCaskill has a distinguished record of service in
Missouri, including time spent as a county
prosecutor and a state legislator. She’s won two
statewide elections as auditor, and came within a few points of
winning the governorship in 2004. In addition to her strong support of stem cell research, McCaskill is pro-choice,
supports an exit strategy in Iraq, and advocates a common-sense, competent government.
www.claireonline.com

About Jim Talent

Jim Talent served in the U.S. House for four terms before an unsuccessful 2000 run for governor. In 2002, he took
advantage of the Republican tide to oust Sen. Jean Carnahan, who had been appointed two years before to fill the seat won
by the late Gov. Mel Carnahan. In a race heavily targeted by the national GOP, Talent won by around 20,000 votes out of
nearly 2 million cast. An ally of the religious right, Talent converted to Christianity after listening to a radio broadcast of
Dr. James Dobson’s Focus on the Family program. He is a reliable supporter of the GOP agenda in Congress.
www.talentforsenate.com

Fundraising and Polling

This race is high on the target list of both parties, and it shows in fundraising. At the last reporting period, Talent had
brought in a little over $19.6 million and retained nearly $7 million on hand. McCaskill brought in nearly $4.6 million and
retains a little under $2.7 million.
In addition to being one of the nation’s most expensive races, it’s also unambiguously one of the closest. In dozens of
polls, McCaskill and Talent have never been separated by more than a few points, and they trade leads constantly. The
most recent Mason-Dixon poll showed McCaskill and Talent tied at 43%. At this point the race is a true toss-up and
turnout will decide who Missouri will send to the Senate.

Sources: www.washingtonpost.com, www.centerforpolitics.org, nytimes.com, www.fec.gov

PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION http://political.moveon.org

Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.